\Con"fi*dence\, n. [L. confidentia firm trust in,
self-confidence: cf. F. confidence.]
1. The act of confiding, trusting, or putting faith in;
   trust; reliance; belief; -- formerly followed by of, now
   commonly by in.
         Society is built upon trust, and trust upon
         confidence of one another's integrity. --South.
         A cheerful confidence in the mercy of God.
                                               --Macaulay.
2. That in which faith is put or reliance had.
         The Lord shall be thy confidence.     --Prov. iii.
                                               26.
3. The state of mind characterized by one's reliance on
   himself, or his circumstances; a feeling of
   self-sufficiency; such assurance as leads to a feeling of
   security; self-reliance; -- often with self prefixed.
         Your wisdom is consumed in confidence; Do not go
         forth to-day.                         --Shak.
         But confidence then bore thee on secure Either to
         meet no danger, or to find Matter of glorious trial.
                                               --Milton.
4. Private conversation; (pl.) secrets shared; as, there were
   confidences between them.
         Sir, I desire some confidence with you. --Shak.
{Confidence game}, any swindling operation in which advantage
   is taken of the confidence reposed by the victim in the
   swindler.
{Confidence man}, a swindler.
{To take into one's confidence}, to admit to a knowledge of
   one's feelings, purposes, or affairs.
Syn: Trust; assurance; expectation; hope.
           I am confident that very much be done. --Boyle.
2. Trustful; without fear or suspicion; frank; unreserved.
         Be confident to speak, Northumberland; We three are
         but thyself.                          --Shak.
3. Having self-reliance; bold; undaunted.
         As confident as is the falcon's flight Against a
         bird, do I with Mowbray fight.        --Shak.
4. Having an excess of assurance; bold to a fault;
   dogmatical; impudent; presumptuous.
         The fool rageth and is confident.     --Prov. xiv.
                                               16.
5. Giving occasion for confidence. [R.]
         The cause was more confident than the event was
         prosperious.                          --Jer. Taylor.